Embracing Responsibility: The Ripple Effect of Our Choices

 

Summary

In our time together, we explored the theme of responsibility and its far-reaching impact on our lives and the lives of those around us. We began by reflecting on the post-Christmas ritual of packing away decorations, drawing a parallel to how we often handle the burdens and mistakes in our lives. Just as we sometimes store away broken ornaments, we tend to hide our personal shortcomings, only to bring them back into our lives repeatedly. This habit of concealing our flaws can have significant consequences, not just for us but for those connected to us.

We delved into the story of the Israelites, led by Moses and later Joshua, as they journeyed from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. This narrative highlights the importance of obedience and the consequences of disobedience. When the Israelites conquered Jericho, God instructed them not to take any spoils. However, Achan, one of the Israelites, disobeyed and took some of the devoted things, leading to a defeat at Ai. This story illustrates how one person's irresponsibility can affect an entire community.

The lesson here is clear: our actions, whether responsible or irresponsible, have a ripple effect. We are interconnected, and our choices can either bless or burden those around us. God calls us to examine our lives, to identify the things we need to discard, and to live in a way that honors Him and benefits our community. This is a call to action, to clean out the "camp" of our lives, to stop hiding our faults, and to seek God's guidance in living a life of integrity and responsibility.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Hidden Burdens of Life: Just as we store away broken Christmas decorations, we often hide our personal flaws and mistakes. These hidden burdens can resurface and impact not only our lives but also those around us. It's crucial to confront and discard these issues to prevent them from causing further harm. [16:37]

2. The Ripple Effect of Irresponsibility: The story of Achan teaches us that one person's disobedience can have far-reaching consequences. Our actions, whether good or bad, affect our community. We must strive to live responsibly, understanding that our choices can either uplift or burden those we are connected to. [30:06]

3. God's Call to Obedience: God instructed the Israelites to leave the spoils of Jericho as a sign of their reliance on Him. This act of obedience was meant to demonstrate their trust in God's provision. Similarly, we are called to obey God's commands, trusting that His ways lead to true fulfillment and blessing. [28:51]

4. Facing Our Fears: We often fear confronting the issues we know we need to address. However, God encourages us to stand up and take action. By facing our fears and dealing with our hidden faults, we can experience freedom and positively impact those around us. [34:41]

5. The Power of Community: Our lives are interconnected, and our actions have a communal impact. By living responsibly and addressing our shortcomings, we not only improve our own lives but also bless those we love. God invites us to trust Him and to live in a way that reflects His love and grace. [32:09]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [15:08] - Post-Christmas Reflections
- [16:37] - The Impact of Irresponsibility
- [18:12] - The Journey of the Israelites
- [19:23] - Entering the Promised Land
- [20:13] - The Battle of Jericho
- [20:43] - Trusting in God
- [21:05] - The Temptation of Achan
- [22:07] - The Defeat at Ai
- [23:13] - Questioning God
- [24:51] - Joshua's Plea
- [25:59] - God's Response
- [28:03] - The Consequences of Sin
- [30:06] - The Nature of Community
- [32:34] - Cleaning Out the Camp
- [35:59] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Joshua 7:1-26 - The story of Achan's sin and its consequences for the Israelites.
2. Joshua 6:17-19 - God's command to the Israelites regarding the spoils of Jericho.
3. Galatians 6:7-8 - The principle of sowing and reaping, highlighting the impact of our actions.

#### Observation Questions
1. What specific instructions did God give the Israelites regarding the spoils of Jericho, and how did Achan disobey these instructions? [21:05]
2. How did Achan's actions affect the entire community of Israel, and what was the immediate consequence of his disobedience? [22:07]
3. In the sermon, what analogy is used to describe how we often handle our personal flaws and mistakes? [15:08]
4. How does the story of Achan illustrate the concept of the ripple effect of irresponsibility? [30:06]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the story of Achan teach about the communal impact of individual sin and disobedience? How does this relate to the concept of responsibility in our own lives? [30:06]
2. How does the sermon suggest we should deal with the "hidden burdens" in our lives, and what role does community play in this process? [32:34]
3. In what ways does the sermon encourage us to confront our fears and take action in addressing our personal shortcomings? [34:41]
4. How does the principle of sowing and reaping, as mentioned in Galatians 6:7-8, apply to the story of Achan and the sermon’s message on responsibility?

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when your actions, whether responsible or irresponsible, had a significant impact on those around you. How did it affect your relationships, and what did you learn from the experience? [30:41]
2. Are there any "hidden burdens" or personal flaws that you have been avoiding? What steps can you take this week to confront and address these issues? [16:37]
3. How can you actively seek God's guidance in living a life of integrity and responsibility? What specific practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to help with this? [35:59]
4. Think about a fear or challenge you are currently facing. How can you draw strength from your faith and community to overcome it? [34:41]
5. Identify one area in your life where you feel called to "clean out the camp." What practical steps can you take to make this change, and who can support you in this process? [32:34]
6. How can you encourage and support others in your community to live responsibly and address their own shortcomings? What role can you play in fostering a supportive and accountable environment? [30:06]
7. Consider the impact of your actions on your community. What is one specific way you can contribute positively to those around you this week? [32:09]

Devotional

Day 1: Confronting Hidden Burdens
In life, we often hide our personal flaws and mistakes, much like storing away broken Christmas decorations. These hidden burdens can resurface, impacting not only our lives but also those around us. It's crucial to confront and discard these issues to prevent them from causing further harm. By acknowledging and addressing our shortcomings, we can begin to experience healing and freedom. This process requires courage and honesty, but it ultimately leads to a more authentic and fulfilling life. [16:37]

"For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light." (Luke 8:17, ESV)

Reflection: What is one hidden burden you have been avoiding? How can you begin to confront it today with God's help?


Day 2: The Ripple Effect of Our Actions
The story of Achan illustrates how one person's disobedience can have far-reaching consequences. Our actions, whether responsible or irresponsible, affect our community. We must strive to live responsibly, understanding that our choices can either uplift or burden those we are connected to. This awareness calls us to be mindful of how our decisions impact others and to seek ways to contribute positively to our community. [30:06]

"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." (Galatians 6:7, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent decision you made. How did it affect those around you, and what can you learn from it?


Day 3: Trusting in God's Provision
God instructed the Israelites to leave the spoils of Jericho as a sign of their reliance on Him. This act of obedience was meant to demonstrate their trust in God's provision. Similarly, we are called to obey God's commands, trusting that His ways lead to true fulfillment and blessing. By surrendering our desires and trusting in His plan, we can experience the peace and joy that come from living in alignment with His will. [28:51]

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's provision? How can you take a step of faith today?


Day 4: Facing Our Fears
We often fear confronting the issues we know we need to address. However, God encourages us to stand up and take action. By facing our fears and dealing with our hidden faults, we can experience freedom and positively impact those around us. This process requires courage and faith, but it leads to personal growth and a deeper relationship with God. [34:41]

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)

Reflection: What fear is holding you back from addressing a personal issue? How can you rely on God's strength to overcome it?


Day 5: The Power of Community
Our lives are interconnected, and our actions have a communal impact. By living responsibly and addressing our shortcomings, we not only improve our own lives but also bless those we love. God invites us to trust Him and to live in a way that reflects His love and grace. This call to community reminds us of the importance of supporting and uplifting one another as we journey together in faith. [32:09]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively contribute to your community today in a way that reflects God's love and grace?

Quotes


But when it comes to things in our lives, like the crummy things, the irresponsible stuff in our lives that we should get rid of or stop doing, when we don't deal with those things, they have the ability to not just affect us, but they also have the ability to affect other people. You see, everyone pays. You see, when my lameness shows itself, it can become not just my problem, but someone else's problem. [00:16:37] (29 seconds)


Our irresponsibility can oftentimes become someone else's responsibility. Irresponsibility is not relationship neutral. As long as I am connected to someone, or something, or some family, or some company, or some team, or some church, or group, eventually my irresponsibility becomes someone else's problem. And also, someone else's irresponsibility can eventually become my responsibility if we're connected. [00:17:46] (29 seconds)


And just like God wanted them to learn this, God wants us to learn this as well. That God, through different periods of our life, will ask us to do things that seem crazy. Maybe even ridiculous, like walking around a city seven times. But he is saying, I know it's hard. I know it's crazy. I know it doesn't make sense. But he's saying, depend on me. [00:20:28] (23 seconds)


They lost a whole battle because of one guy's irresponsibility and disobedience. And that's why Achan hit it, because he knew he was supposed to leave it. One guy acts up, acts out, and it impacts him. It impacts the entire community. And we read that and we think, now that's not really fair, God. I can understand, God, maybe you go after this one guy and maybe he's killed in battle. [00:29:44] (27 seconds)


The answer is because that's the nature of community, of a connection of people. That's the nature of family. That's the nature of relationship. That when one person acts irresponsibly, not only do they reap what they've sowed, but it affects everyone around them. You see, this didn't just affect 36 men that died. It affected their families and an entire nation. [00:30:22] (29 seconds)


Think about some of your biggest missteps. Those time in your life when you just went off the rails or handled things the wrong way. You did the wrong things. Think about who it affected. Think about the collateral damage. You can. I certainly can. We can make a list in our mind of who it affected. And it typically is, usually always, those closest to us. [00:30:56] (26 seconds)


It's the nature of irresponsibility. It's what happens to us when we hide things. When we tuck them away. When we find ourselves doing things or concealing things we know we should get rid of, but we don't. We conceal it, and we think it won't come back to bite us, but it always does. And it doesn't just affect us. It also affects the people around us. [00:31:36] (24 seconds)


And maybe God right now is speaking to you and telling you, it's time to clean out camp. We know things we need to get rid of, and it's time to do it. No more hiding them. No more concealing them. It's time to get rid of some things that you're doing, or ways that you're acting, or thoughts that we're holding on to. [00:32:09] (24 seconds)


Maybe today's the day you come clean with God. No more hiding. No more concealing. It's time to get rid of some things. You have yours. I have mine. If I'm honest, I'm scared to death to deal with things that I know that I have to deal with. I'd rather ignore them sometimes, pretend they're not there. But I know it's time, too. [00:34:41] (26 seconds)


We all have things we need to do or ways we have to act. Habits we need to battle. Behaviors we need to go and have the ability to not let them impact us and not let them certainly impact those around us. And we think we can just tuck these things away, but they always come back to bite us. But not just us, but the people we're connected with. [00:35:00] (24 seconds)


Perhaps God today is saying to you, stand up. No more hiding. Get rid of it and give it to Him. You know, if Christmas reminds us of anything, it's that God is for you. He went to great lengths to be with you. But He doesn't ever push you away. He invites you to trust Him. What is it for you? [00:35:59] (24 seconds)


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Transcript
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